By James Mwala
As Covid19 recoveries keep increasing in Malawi, government is pondering on opening borders and schools from September.
According to President Lazarus Chakwera, schools and borders would open upon an assessment that government and concerned stakeholders are currently undertaking.
Among other things, Chakwera said the numbers have been by far promising for government to open up the critical sectors that were shut about six months ago.
So far, Malawi has a cumulative recovery figure of 2,690.
However, active cases stand at 2,273 with total deaths at 162.
These follow a total of 39,764 tests that the country has so far done.
Most of the cases came earlier this year, when the over 500 Malawians who reside in South Africa came back home following a lockdown in the rainbow nation.
Over the last few weeks, government had to overturn an order banning public gatherings and religious meeting, subsequently calling for less than ten people to converge.
However, following a backlash from religious leaders, the decrees were overturned, as there was an argument that the leaders were not consulted and that the order suppressed people’s rights.
The developments also come when private school operators keep pushing government to effect a tax and loan waiver or consider opening schools.
Government however, insists that it is still consulting over the matter.
According to Chakwera, government is keenly attaining feedback from stakeholders over the matter and argues that until then when all stakeholders settle for better actions, the economy and schools would be thoroughly opened.
